The Chicago White Sox have a positive run-differential and are only four games out of first place in the American League Central, but they are still in a precarious position. The White Sox sit in fourth place in the division at 24-28 and may be selling at the trade deadline if they can’t improve their spot in the standings over the next couple of months.
They have a critical AL Central matchup coming up against the Detroit Tigers this weekend. Detroit is also in that muddled divisional race and under .500 as well, and they will aim to pick up this series victory at home to move closer to the division-leading Indians.
This series will be contested from Friday, June 2 through Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.
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Pitching Matchups
The White Sox will begin the series by sending out Derek Holland, who has been fantastic this season with a 4-4 record and a 2.37 ERA. He has only given up two earned runs in his past two starts spanning 14 innings and will aim to keep it rolling. The Tigers are scheduled to start Michael Fulmer, who is 5-3 with a 2.65 ERA. He has been very impressive in his young career and is the more talented hurler in this matchup.
On Saturday Chicago is expected to start Miguel Gonzalez, who is 4-5 with a 4.43 ERA. He doesn’t have great peripheral statistics but has always tended to outpitch those, so bet against him at your own peril. The Tigers are going to counter with Jordan Zimmermann, who is being paid to be a top pitcher but enters with a 4-4 record and an ugly 6.47 ERA. The strikeout numbers are poor and there isn’t much to suggest Zimmermann is going to straighten it out any time soon.
In the series finale, Chicago is scheduled to start David Holmberg, who has been a reliever much of the season and gave up three runs in four innings last time out as a spot starter. The Tigers will start Daniel Norris, who is 2-3 with a 4.47 ERA. Norris has potential but will need to slow down a White Sox lineup that is pretty solid.
Injury Report
Justin Upton -- The Tigers outfielder left Wednesday’s game against the Royals early, exiting in the third inning with a quad strain. Although the injury is not thought to be serious, it’s unclear yet whether Upton will miss any games this weekend against the White Sox.
Upton is a key piece of the Tigers offense and went 2-for-2 with two doubles before leaving the game Wednesday. He has nine home runs and 25 RBIs this year.
The Tigers are also missing catcher James McCann, who received stitches in his left hand after it was sliced open by a fastball last week. McCann, who splits time with Alex Avila behind the plate, is being replaced by John Hicks while he heals and is expected to return next week.
Player To Watch
Tommy Kahnle -- The White Sox reliever has come up clutch for Chicago this year. The righthander is boasting an ERA of 1.29 and a 0.71 WHIP. His issue was always control but Kahnle is not walking many batters, allowing his big-time stuff to dominate lineups.
Kahnle has only allowed three earned runs and 10 hits in 21 innings pitched. He came in during the ninth inning of Monday’s matchup against the Red Sox and preserved the one-run lead, striking out two batters and forcing a fly out for the 5-4 win.
He hasn’t allowed a hit in his last four outings. It’s important to have a dependable bullpen, especially in close games, and Kahnle is proving to be someone the White Sox can count on.
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